ATTENDANCE AT LEBANON'S NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION

UNCLAS RABAT 002157

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL LE MO
SUBJECT: ATTENDANCE AT LEBANON'S NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION

REF: STATE 189539

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.


1. (SBU) POLOFF MET WITH HASSAN HAMI, OFFICE DIRECTOR FOR ARAB
AND ISLAMIC AFFAIRS AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON
NOVEMBER 21 TO URGE THAT MOROCCO NOT SEND ITS AMBASSADOR TO
THE NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION HOSTED BY PRESIDENT LAHOUD AND
URGED THAT MOROCCO ESCHEW THE EVENT ALTOGETHER IF PRIME
MINISTER SENIORA IS NOT ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT
(REFTEL). HAMI PROMISED TO CONVEY THE U.S. MESSAGE TO THE
MINISTER'S OFFICE, WHICH WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE ANY SUCH
INSTRUCTION TO MOROCCO'S EMBASSY IN BEIRUT. OFFERING A
PERSONAL OPINION, HAMI THOUGHT MOROCCOS AMBASSADOR "WOULD BE
HARD-PRESSED TO TURN DOWN A DIRECT INVITATION FROM THE
PRESIDENT" FOR THIS EVENT IN THE ABSENCE OF CONSENSUS AMONG
ARAB STATES ON SUCH AN ACTION.


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RILEY